HCC revenue collector Guni says corruption and leakages affecting service delivery

Harare – Harare City Council acting Revenue Collection Manager, Alfred Guni on Tuesday said corruption and revenue leakages is affecting effective revenue collection by council while cartels are pocketing money meant for the city.

Guni was appearing before a commission of inquiry into the affairs of Harare that is chaired by retired Justice Maphios Cheda.

Guni in his testimony said the city council is not getting revenue from many sources with cartels pocketing the money.

Guni said fake tickets are being generated by cartels in many sectors under the council that include the traffic section, gravel sales at Warren Park,tuckshops and markets such as Mbare Musika fresh fruit and vegetable market.

Guni said corruption and leakages has resulted in individuals lining their pockets from council revenue.

Most of tuckshops in residential areas are not paying council fees and from April to September council collected a paltry US$100 in Harare, Guni said.

Revenue collected from gravel sales at Warren Park Hills is not accounted for, Guni said adding trucks which collect gravel are not supervised which may result in some trucks getting the gravel for free.

Guni said money paid for Billboards is not being accounted for in council books.

At bus ranks such as Copacabana, Market Square and Fourth Street omnibus taxi associations collect money everyday but the money cannot be fully accounted for, Guni said.

Guni said residents no longer have trust in council because of poor service delivery.

“The city must be transparent to residents. The current situation is that we do what we do and residents are on the other side,” Guni said.

Guni who has been in an acting capacity since 2021 said many senior positions are being run by people in an acting capacity which affects decision making and service delivery.

The commission of inquiry was appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa this year after allegations of massive corruption at the local authority.

Harare residents have long complained about poor service delivery that include sewer bursts, lack of water, pot-holed roads and lack of garbage collection.

The commission has up to February next year to compile a report and submit to Mnangagwa.